The National Weather Service expects a high of 88 degrees, which would shatter the record of 85 for the date, set in 1988.

Monday's high of 81 narrowly missed the record of 85 degrees set in 1987.

Statistically, the city's daily highs don't average 88 degrees until Aug. 2 each year. The average high temperatures this week are 63 to 65 degrees.

So far, the highest daily temperatures in 2012 were 84degrees on April 1 and 81 on March 31, according to official weather records for the city.

Hot, dry weather across the state could mean more than sweat and sunburns on the Western Slope. A critical "red flag" fire danger warning is in effect from 2 to 9 p.m. for most areas west of the Continental Divide.

Add dry grass and brush exposed by recent melting snow, humidities as low as 13 percent
today and wind gusts up to 35 mph and conditions are prime for a fast-moving wildfire, if one sparks, forecasters said.

Winds will be calmer in the Denver metro region: 7 to 10 mph breezes with gusts up to 15 mph.

Denver's forecast high for Wednesday is 81 degrees. The record is 83 set in 1987.

The city falls out of record contention on Thursday, with a 30 to 40 percent chance of showers and a high of 76 degrees. Rain chances are expected to linger Friday with a high of 69 degrees, before returning to the mid-60s this weekend.

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